N.J. native wins $38M Calif. Lottery jackpot

May 4, 2007, 2:44 pm (17 comments)

California Lottery

Oceanside resident Eugene Salek told officials at the California Lottery that he followed his usual routine yesterday morning. He got up, made coffee and then checked his SuperLotto Plus tickets from the night before.

He knew then that he had won $38 million.

But, Salek said, he went ahead and made breakfast for himself and his wife, Lee, and intended to keep his big news a surprise, telling her only that they were heading out from their home.

Salek couldn't hold back when she questioned him, though, so out came the news that they were going to claim his prize.

The Saleks did not answer the phone yesterday afternoon, and the blinds were closed on their whitewashed corner duplex home in the Mykonos section of the gated Ocean Hills retirement community.

Neighbors John and Bette Overman said they had not seen the winning couple all day.

As soon as they were told their neighbors had received good news yesterday, the couple guessed immediately: "They won the lottery," Bette Overman said because she, too, had bought tickets on the big jackpot.

According to a news release from lottery officials, Salek retired in 1990 as a Sears department manager.

Bette Overman said the couple moved from New Jersey upon retirement.

The news release quoted Salek as saying his only other strokes of luck were when he persuaded his wife to marry him 49 years ago and when he won two tickets to a luau in Hawaii.

Lottery spokeswoman Cathy Johnston said Salek opted to take his winnings over a 26-year period and said he probably will invest most of the money. Johnston said the payments, before taxes, will amount to $950,000 the first year and $1.9 million on the 26th year.

Johnson said the ticket was purchased at Stater Brothers on Sycamore Avenue in Vista. The store will get one half of 1 percent of the total, or $190,000.

Calls to the store manager for comment were not returned.

Union-Tribune

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hosni

Hey Todd, A nice heart warming story. Right in my hood too. Glad to see a NJ native pick up some of the Golden States $$$.     Escondido, CA John

MissNYC's avatarMissNYC

That's great, but I think if I was already retired, I would probably opt for the lump sum payment, but that's me.

rdc137

Quote: Originally posted by MissNYC on May 4, 2007

That's great, but I think if I was already retired, I would probably opt for the lump sum payment, but that's me.

Perhaps they were thinking of their children and grandchildren who will be around in 26 years to collect the last payments. My grandmother told me if she won Powerball, she would have me take the annuity and she gets to keep the first check, which would be enough for the rest of her life. I guess I shouldn't complain about that deal, but I still think she'd be better taking the lump sum considering her age. Oh well, grandmas are like that.

fja's avatarfja

Well this out to start the famous cash option / lump sum debate going again,,,,,considering they are retired,,,,,Lurking

Anyway nice going, Congratulations,,,,enjoy the rest of your lives....

eddessaknight's avatareddessaknight

"the blinds were closed on their whitewashed corner duplex home in the Mykonos section of the gated Ocean Hills retirement community. '

 

Why don't the Lottery ooficials give out Salek's SS Number and finger prints while they are at it.....happy for their good luck but sorry that the CA lottery publicity navigator info makes them an unwitting target. Unhappy

 

eddessaknight Sun Smiley

DoubleDown

Quote: Originally posted by eddessaknight on May 4, 2007

"the blinds were closed on their whitewashed corner duplex home in the Mykonos section of the gated Ocean Hills retirement community. '

 

Why don't the Lottery ooficials give out Salek's SS Number and finger prints while they are at it.....happy for their good luck but sorry that the CA lottery publicity navigator info makes them an unwitting target. Unhappy

 

eddessaknight Sun Smiley

"the blinds were closed on their whitewashed corner duplex home in the Mykonos section of the gated Ocean Hills retirement community. '

 

 I agree eddessaknight:

This is why you want to claim it as a trust in the states that allow.

CA LotteryGuy

eddessaknight....it wasn't the CA Lottery that gave out the information on where the Mr. Salek lives.  This information most likely came from the local newspaper, the San Diego Union Tribune.  The lottery in it's press release gave the winner's name and said he was a retiree from the San Diego area. In California the winners name is released, a trust will not keep the winner unknown.

Also of note in the press release was that Salek bought 5 quick picks.  He doesn't like to get the picks on one ticket so he made sure he got 5 tickets each with a single line.  The numbers were 3, 5, 12, 20, 24 and 6, all below the birthday/anniversary number 31.   Interesting that  the winner was from a quick pick!!!

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by hosni on May 4, 2007

Hey Todd, A nice heart warming story. Right in my hood too. Glad to see a NJ native pick up some of the Golden States $$$.     Escondido, CA John

I agree, thanks for the tip!

LckyLary

Remember - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

irondoor827

Quote: Originally posted by eddessaknight on May 4, 2007

"the blinds were closed on their whitewashed corner duplex home in the Mykonos section of the gated Ocean Hills retirement community. '

 

Why don't the Lottery ooficials give out Salek's SS Number and finger prints while they are at it.....happy for their good luck but sorry that the CA lottery publicity navigator info makes them an unwitting target. Unhappy

 

eddessaknight Sun Smiley

dude...you  woke  up  the  CA lottery  guy  , nice  to  know  that  lottery  officials  are  watching  our  everymove  and  see  what  were  predicting  I  knew  the  lottery  was  cheating ;Thud

 

As  far  as  this  guy  in  CA  winning all  that- loot   shows  a  good  principles  of  being  a  lucky  person ;

he  faithfuly  played  the  numbers  #01Dance

he  obviously was  very  happy  with  his  self  and  his  life  at  the  time #02

he  was  in  love Love and  lived  in  a  gatted  communty , life  doesn't  get  any  sweetier ;......( well  ...38 million $$$) just  kibbles  and   bits  for  an  already  perfect  life); Lover

   

CA LotteryGuy

Quote: Originally posted by irondoor827 on May 5, 2007

dude...you  woke  up  the  CA lottery  guy  , nice  to  know  that  lottery  officials  are  watching  our  everymove  and  see  what  were  predicting  I  knew  the  lottery  was  cheating ;Thud

 

As  far  as  this  guy  in  CA  winning all  that- loot   shows  a  good  principles  of  being  a  lucky  person ;

he  faithfuly  played  the  numbers  #01Dance

he  obviously was  very  happy  with  his  self  and  his  life  at  the  time #02

he  was  in  love Love and  lived  in  a  gatted  communty , life  doesn't  get  any  sweetier ;......( well  ...38 million $$$) just  kibbles  and   bits  for  an  already  perfect  life); Lover

   

indoor827....don't know what you are referring to as far as waking me up!  FYI I am not a lottery offical.  I have no affliation with the lottery other then a regular (four times weekly; twice each for Mega Millions and Super Lotto Plus) contributor to their coffers.  Not sure where the comment "the lottery was cheating" plays into all of this, care to explain?

Also as far as your #01 comment "he faithfully played the numbers", just to be sure all the facts are on the table, it was a quick pick that won.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Quote: Originally posted by MissNYC on May 4, 2007

That's great, but I think if I was already retired, I would probably opt for the lump sum payment, but that's me.

Great Story!! 

I agree with you, Miss NYC, but sometimes I wonder what I would do if I won that kind of money.  I am looking for their ages.  They could be only 55.  Many retirement communities here accept people over 50.   They won so much money that knowing their "Golden Years" are protected must be a very good feeling.  They can always take half of the money every year and invest it as Mr. Salek indicated he would.  Just the first payment will change their lives dramatically.   

EDIT:  I just read the article again. I guess if they've been married for 49 years, they are at least in their late 60s.  Well, they know they will leave a nice inheritance to their children and grandchildren.  Either way the heirs will have to pay the inheritance tax. 

I can't believe their home & community was described in detail.  That's irresponsible reporting.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Quote: Originally posted by eddessaknight on May 4, 2007

"the blinds were closed on their whitewashed corner duplex home in the Mykonos section of the gated Ocean Hills retirement community. '

 

Why don't the Lottery ooficials give out Salek's SS Number and finger prints while they are at it.....happy for their good luck but sorry that the CA lottery publicity navigator info makes them an unwitting target. Unhappy

 

eddessaknight Sun Smiley

I Agree!

irondoor827

Quote: Originally posted by CA LotteryGuy on May 5, 2007

indoor827....don't know what you are referring to as far as waking me up!  FYI I am not a lottery offical.  I have no affliation with the lottery other then a regular (four times weekly; twice each for Mega Millions and Super Lotto Plus) contributor to their coffers.  Not sure where the comment "the lottery was cheating" plays into all of this, care to explain?

Also as far as your #01 comment "he faithfully played the numbers", just to be sure all the facts are on the table, it was a quick pick that won.

ca lottery  guy  ...when  you  commented  and  informed  the  board  that  -{" the  Ca.  lottery  never  Gave  out  that  information  and  that  it  most  likely  came  from  a  newspapper  in  that  region" } it  sounded  as  if  you   had  inside  information  unknown  to  the  public:

02.  when  I said  he  faithfuly  played  the  lottery  I  was  detailing  the  comments  he  made in  the  report:

Salek told officials at the California Lottery that he followed his usual routine yesterday morning. He got up, made coffee and then checked his SuperLotto Plus tickets from the night beforee 

and  in re:  to  your  question  about  faithfully  played the  numbers  ...'just  to  be  sure  You  have  the  facts  on  the  table  " 

playing  quick  picks  is   playing  the  lottery"

money  spent  is  money  spent  .....and  your  darn  straight  I  said  the  lottery  cheats >............and  thats  what  I  BELIEVE @  do..... 

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